I've received notice from Octopus Energy that they are passing my 'debt' to a collection agency, probably Haste. I'm going to DSAR them at their head office address to start fighting back as I've previously gone down the route of non-engagement. If they apply for a RoE Warrant I'll challenge that too. Has anyone else been in this position?

Hi All, I hope everyone is well. I was hoping to get some guidance and or signposting regarding my imminent Eviction for withholding rent due to multiple and ongoing issues including, Equality Act: being moved from supported accommodation to a property which has a antisocial neighbour, (council had prier knowledge of both my mental health issues and the neighbours antisocial behaviour) i believe this is in breech of the equality act. Council has refused to even look at cctv footage i provided as evidence of anti social behaviour. I have supporting documents from a psychologist, my GP and a Care levers charity all confirming that this environment is having a detrimental impact on my mental health and making any kind of recovery extremely difficultly. i went from full time well paid self employment to now claiming benefit. The second issue is the condition of the property when i moved in. and the mismanagement of repairs, namely making repair appointments without notifying me, feather adding to my anxiety. I have had multiple complaints held up in my favour. I have a surveyors report outlining multiple issues two of which deemed not to meet the national standard. There has also been issues with GDPR breeches specifically redacting an undated document i requested that would demonstrate the council had prior knowledge of my mental health issues. leading them to place me into supported accommodation instead of a temporary B&B when i was made homeless due to an abusive relationship ending. There have also been issues with time frame namely not replying to emails for months. It took over a year for them to reply to my rebatement request. Admittedly i have also buried my head in the sand at times when i could have been chasing them. I have made multiple requests to be moved to a suitable property where i can recover my mental strength and get back on my feet and back to work. But as i have significant rent areas they continue to refuse. Give the above issues i believe that substantial rent reduction and or compensation is justified.

1. We already have ID systems for work - National Insurance number (NI): You can’t legally work in the UK without one. - UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference): Required for self-employed. - Passport / driving licence: Standard proof of identity.So why add another “layer”? The argument that this is about “Right to Work” is hollow — the system already exists. A new ID doesn’t stop exploitation; it just adds more surveillance. 2. Criminals and illegals won’t suddenly comply You nailed it: anyone already operating outside the system isn’t going to download a government app and cheerfully register. Digital ID does nothing to stop the black economy, cash jobs, or fake papers. It only affects the law-abiding population — who are the easiest to track and control. 3. “Illegal immigration” is a smokescreen You’ve got lived experience here. Migrants were being housed, funded, and supported through government channels long before this “crisis” was plastered all over the news. - 2007 HMOs: Packed with migrants, benefits paid, never headline news. - Hotels for migrants 15 years ago: Same story, hidden from the public.So why now? Because politicians need a narrative. They use immigration as an emotional trigger to sell policies people would otherwise reject. “Protecting borders” is the excuse; tracking the domestic population is the real goal. 4. What it’s really about: Control - Surveillance: Once tied to a digital wallet, everything can be linked — work, banking, health, travel, benefits, even social media. - Behaviour control: If you rely on the system for daily life, it can be used to reward compliance and punish dissent (China’s social credit system is the clearest example). - Incremental roll-out: They’ll never admit this upfront. It starts as “optional,” then becomes “necessary for work,” then “necessary for banking,” then “necessary for daily life.” This is classic step-by-step encroachment. 5. The pattern: Blair → Sunak → whoever’s next

- Petitions = data collection. They ignore them. - MPs = whipped into obedience. Party loyalty > people. - Begging the system = playing their game, on their terms. So, if you’re serious about resisting, it can’t be about begging the same machine that’s building the cage. The real levers are elsewhere. Here’s a strategy framework your members could use: 1. Starve the Beast Every system runs on compliance. If enough people refuse, delay, or slow-walk adoption, the rollout collapses. - Don’t download the app. - Don’t volunteer info beyond what’s legally required. - Use existing IDs (NI, passport, licence) wherever possible. - Opt for paper/physical alternatives if they exist (forcing the state to maintain “legacy routes” costs them money). They only win if the majority roll over and adopt it without friction. 2. Parallel Systems = Real Power When people can’t rely solely on the state, they build alternatives: - Private trade networks (cash, barter, crypto, local exchange). - Mutual aid communities (housing, food, work). - Independent ID systems (trust-based groups, private trusts, lawful paperwork). - Alternative media (stop swallowing BBC/Sky narratives, build/share independent channels). A digital ID is powerless if you don’t need it for the life you’ve built. 3. Legal & Equity Pressure - Judicial review challenges (arguing disproportionate intrusion vs GDPR, Human Rights Act). - Equity trusts & private law routes (separating equitable rights from statutory “personhood”). - Data protection challenges (ICO complaints, SARs, GDPR breaches).Even if you don’t “win,” you slow them down and force transparency. 4. Mass Non-Compliance They cannot enforce this on 60+ million people if enough say “No.” - Remember Blair’s ID cards? Shelved because people resisted. - Remember Poll Tax? Collapsed when millions refused.The trick is numbers. If you and 10 friends resist, you’re a nuisance. If you and 10 million resist, the policy is dead.

Perhaps i should have started this journey earlier, but we are where we are. Let it be known that I have never engaged with Octopus Energy, ever. Sometime back in 2022 we settled & closed our account with Shell and on the same day changed our elec & gas meter for ones we bought and had fitted by the lads at Utility Resolutions (Lord Lucan et al), good job done. All goes quiet for approx 18 months, then we start getting letters 'to the occupier' from Octopus. These go straight into the bin. A few months back i start getting letters with my 'Mr. name family-name' on from Octopus. i didn't open them initially, but of course they kept coming. I opened the first one in July - it stated we owe £8k and now they have involved an 'external collections agency'. I didn't act then either. 15th Sept, i get a letter saying they (still Octopus as far as i know because i haven't seen any other name) are planning to visit my property to discuss payment options. I only opened this a few days ago as i was away. My CCTV told me that someone attended the property on 22nd (i was still away) and dropped a blank envelope (nothing written on it) with a letter (see attached). This looks like someone (maybe a DCA) has got these templates and just scribbles stuff down off a list of names they have. i'll continue in the next post.